Collar protector

ABSTRACT

A disposable auxiliary collar element preferably made of disposable material, such as heavy gauge fibrous material adapted to be positioned on the integral collar of a garment to present a normal appearance when the garment is worn. Depending upon the degree of soiling, it may be reused or discarded at the end of a wearing. In one embodiment, the device is held in position by adhesive. In another embodiment it is maintained in position by a member extending below the garment collar.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Reference is made to my copending provisional application serial No. 60/436,944 filed Dec. 29, 2002, to which a claim of priority is made.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of garments, particularly shirts and blouses, and typically those having a neck opening surrounding a collar beneath which a necktie may be worn. Alternatively, the collar may be unbuttoned while worn, in which case the collar retains essentially the same configuration.

[0003] Actual soiling of a collar depends largely upon the amount of perspiration exuded by the user which is normally absorbed by the collar on an inwardly-disposed upper surface, and in some instances, by the outer surface as well. While in wetted condition, a degree of additional soiling is also accumulated, particularly when the garment is worn during humid conditions, where the wearing of the garment becomes uncomfortable over a relatively short period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of an auxiliary collar element which may be formed to include a downwardly-extending member interconnected to the collar element by stitching means, or formed integrally, which extends downwardly from the collar element to be positioned to contact the inner surface of the garment adjacent the neck, and/or the outer surface of an undergarment located in a neck area. The collar member may include a second ply of material for stiffness, which is stitched or otherwise interconnected to the periphery of the collar element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0005] In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a view in elevation of a collar member forming part of the embodiment.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a view in elevation of an underlying member forming a part of the embodiment.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a view in elevation of a lining ply forming a part of the collar member.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a view in elevation of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the second embodment in installed condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT

[0012] In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, includes a collar member 11, an underlying member 12, and an inner stiffening lamina 13.

[0013] The collar member 11 may be of single-ply construction, but preferably includes an outer ply 21 in laminated condition with the lamina 13. It is bounded by an upper edge 22, a lower edge 23, as well as end edges 24 and 25 and generally corresponds to the configuration of the collar which it overlies and protects. While the collar member may be of thin gauge synthetic resinous material, in the interest of reasonable cost of manufacture, it is preferably formed from known non-woven fibrous materials such as heavy weight paper, preferably including a degree of porosity to provide for absorption of perspiration on the inner surfaces which contact the neck of the wearer. The outer ply 21 may be of non-porous material, if desired.

[0014] The underlying member 12 is preferably made of the same material, and is bounded by a rectilinear edge 30, and a curvate edge 31 which meet at first and second ends 32 and 33. If desired, it may be made in other configurations so as to extend into the interstice between the inner surface of the back panel of the garment and the outer surface of an undergarment worn by the user. It is interconnected over a generally central segment of the collar member, and serves to maintain the collar member in position upon the garment collar when the device is positioned thereon.

[0015] The lamina 13 may be made of the same material, and is employed principally to add stiffness to the collar member 11. It is bounded by a curvate edge 40, a rectilinear edge 41, and first and second end edges 42 and 43.

[0016] When the device is worn by a user, the underlying member 12 will overlie the inner surface of the rear panel of a garment 46, wherein it serves to keep the device in position upon the garment irrespective of whether the garment collar is buttoned or not. It also provides an additional source of moisture absorption.

[0017] Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 5&6), the device 50 includes an outer element 51 and an inner element 52 separated by a foldline. Again, it is conveniently formed from a porous white or colored non-woven fiber or paper.

[0018] The outer element is preferably provided on an inner surface thereof with a non-watersoluble adhesive on areas which contact the outer surface of the garment collar. Foldlines 55 permit the flattening of the device for storage as seen in FIG. 6. The end areas 57 are preferably triangular in shape thus permitting use with a variety of collars of different shapes. The inner element 52 may also have adhesive areas 58. Because of the adhesive areas, the member 12 of the first embodiment may be eliminated. The adhesive may be in the form of a strip of nylon tape having an adhesive coating on either side applied to the collar protector with a silicone-coated release strip (not shown), or it may be applied by the user at the time of installation. A water based adhesive is not suitable because of the presence of accumulated moisture during use which will weaken the adhesive bond.

[0019] It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in collar protectors which will enable the reuse of a garment during several wearings before laundering of the garment is necessary. The device will overlie the collar of the garment during use and may be made in a variety of colors. Preferably, it is formed in a white color to enable use with garments of varying colors. In the preferred embodiment, substantial parts of the device are made of moisture-absorbent non-woven materials, with the remaining exposed portions being made of non-woven fibrous materials, or synthetic resinous materials. To maintain cost of manufacture as low as possible, the entire device may be formed as a unitary stamping of fibrous materials, with the collar member subsequently coated with a synthetic resinous coating to provide a smooth outer surface.

[0020] I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention to be limited to the precise details disclosed in the specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. 

I claim:
 1. A collar protector for preventing the accumulation of soil on the surfaces of a garment collar during wearing thereof, said protector being formed of disposable planar material comprising: an outer collar member having a configuration corresponding to that of said garment collar, and longitudinally-foldable to overlie said garment collar when said garment is worn; and an underlying member, interconnected to said collar member at a segment of an edge thereof to extend downwardly beneath an inner surface of a garment attached to said garment collar.
 2. A collar protector in accordance with claim 1, made of non-woven fibrous materials.
 3. A garment protector in accordance with claim 1, in which said collar member and said underlying member are formed integrally.
 4. A collar protector for preventing the accumulation of soil on the surfaces of a garment collar during the wearing thereof, said protector being formed of disposable planar material and comprising an outer collar member having a configuration corresponding generally to that of said garment collar, and longitudinally foldable to overlie said garment collar when said garment collar is worn; said protector having an inner surface contacting said garment collar and coated adhesive areas contacting said garment collar to maintain said protector in position during wearing of said garment collar. 